Teaching of agricultural science at the basic education level in developing countries: a case study of the nature and constraints at Cape Coast district of Ghana

Abstract

Agricultural education is vital for economic development of most developing countries including Ghana. The central aim of the agricultural education at the basic level is to train students in the basic principles of agriculture, provide avenues for the development of their skills and change the attitudes of the young children towards agriculture. The study was undertaken using a descriptive survey design to assess teachers and head teachers’ perceived constraints to effective teaching of agricultural science at the basic education level in Cape Coast District of Central Region of Ghana. Pretested and validated questionnaires were used to collect the data from 54 randomly selected respondents constituting the sample size for the study. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the teachers were mature and experienced. Their major training in agriculture was at the training college level. Only a few have had in-service training in agriculture. Few teachers used supervised practicals at the school farms. Visits to nearby farms and seeking the assistance of resource people were never used. Constraints identified were related to technical aspects of agriculture, the syllabus, teaching materials, pre-service and in-service teacher training, teacher motivation, supervision, negative attitudes of students and parents towards agriculture, teaching environment, and evaluation. Action strategies to improve teaching of agriculture are provided